Friends,

I’m writing to you today, choosing to believe that trust and hope do not disappoint, even in weakness or hardship, because it is in the power of God, and not my own. I trust today.

I do not write you here, all of the below, because it is perfectly in place in my life. No, it’s not, not even after nearly 20 years of really trying.

I am writing so that I can journey with others of like mind and like heart, so that we can encourage each other to press on and press in. So hi, here’s what I’ve been thinking on this week:

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14

What comes to mind for you when you think of perfect harmony?

As a teacher, I read and consider different methods of teaching. Recently, this verse above about how love binds everything together in perfect harmony caught the attention of a little fire I have burning in my heart. As I teach, I desire not only to inform my children’s minds, but to bring a wholeness and order to their understanding of the world around them, and their place in it. I want to bind everything together in perfect harmony.
The ancient teacher Socrates’ goal, as he taught his students, was to bring “harmony”. By harmony, he meant to help his students examine every thought and remove every contradiction and inconsistency. He knew that by doing so, they would be enabled to move forward and build on a solid foundation, they would be removing “disharmony”.

This is all based on the belief that finding harmony is finding truth. It is the belief that truth is, truth is knowable and able to be discovered.

If harmony is possible, then unity must exist. “Truth is ultimately one, in the sense that all things fit together into a harmonious symphony of being.”*  How beautiful is this picture of ancient knowledge and Jesus’ revelation of Himself to the same people who espoused, or were at least familiar, with these methods during the New Testament time period?

It sounds a bit familiar doesn’t it? Jesus, the Word of God, made flesh, in Whom “…we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’” * God is one and he invites us into His unity to be one with Him, to know His heart and mind, His ways.

We live in a day where many around us also quote another ancient man, Pilate, “Truth? What is truth?”.

Yet God has provided the answer, like pillars of fire deliberately placed all over this globe. Hearts of fire, passionately living the harmony of God, which is the love of God are blazing! And obviously being noticed when you consider the efforts being gone to to extinguish them. Yes, Christian persecution, alive and well, far from an ancient issue.

Find out more about Christian persecution through Open Doors USA.

But LOVE. Love says yes, I claim Christ, when all else around me spit at His name. Love says, I recognize Messiah as King and trust Him, not live in fear of a political leader or any of their devices.

LOVE that forgives and foregoes, chooses holiness not worldliness, puts away anger and wrath, puts on compassion and patience, (a much fiercer thing than simple “kindness.”*)—it is aliveness. It is harmony. It is love.

Lives of love know that though their life is hidden in Christ, when He appears they will appear with Him. Christ, who is our life, the Word of God made flesh, is with us never leaving nor forsaking us, and He is the truth and harmony of this life.

That’s what I hear when I read that verse above, “put on love”, put on Messiah. Draw near to know Him, to know how to be like Him in this time in history. Remember His body all over the world, broken, but blazing and let it light our path through a world that without this light can become so very confusing.

Many are shielding their eyes, hardening their hearts, growing cold and asking, “What is truth?”.

What is the answer? When we put on love, in Jesus, we are, we are the truth that the world needs. And we are not alone, together, we are beautiful, astonishing, harmony.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” -Matthew 5:14-16

Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, one who suffered many years in prison, including solitary confinement, for his faith, (founder of The Voice of the Martyrs) remains a favorite author of mine, of many books. In one chapter entitled, “Sermon to the Churches in West” he wrote,

“If God lives in me and in you, it depends on us whether beauty will conquer, or whether mankind will deteriorate more and more.”

He continues, speaking on behalf of persecuted Christians,

“I cannot tell you what to do for us. The pastors among us have been smitten, and the sheep are scattered. Care for these sheep, gather them in. Our Bibles have been confiscated. Our families eat garbage. I don’t know how you can reach them. But you are the abode of the almighty and omniscient God. He must know. I speak to God. That means I speak to you. I say an ‘Our Father’. Listen, it is addressed to you: ‘Our Father, which art in heaven.’ What heaven is more beautiful for him that your believing soul? He is in you. ‘Deliver us from evil.’…”*

This is big! This is beyond us, but that doesn’t make it out of reach. Trusting with you!! Choosing love with you. Listening for His song with you.

We are one body,

Raynna, for the whole family
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*writes the CIRCE Institute in “What is Socratic Teaching” (Essentials of Classical Education Series
*Acts 17:28
*C.S. Lewis quote, “Love is something more stern and splendid than mere kindness.”
*With God in Solitary Confinement by Richard Wurmbrand